Today marks a year since the unique partnership between Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity resulted in the launch of the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, bringing together leading researchers based at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Last week, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), brain tumour patients and families who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease were at the Centre to learn how researchers there are focused on advancing the most promising new treatments for glioblastoma – the most aggressive form of adult brain cancer.
Among our guests were Sarah Groonell and Ciara McAlpine, the wife and sister of Eammon Nugent, a senior orthoptist, who passed away from a high-grade astrocytoma in October 2024, aged 31, as well as Ciara's husband Andrew and Eamonn's parents Therese and Joseph.
In the months before he passed away, Eamonn, a talented musician who played the bodhrán – a traditional Irish drum – created an album called The Waiting Room, consisting of some of his favourite recordings of traditional Irish music. Selling copies to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research and Brain Tumour Ireland, Eamonn raised more than €15,000.
Continuing his legacy, Eamonn’s family has raised more than £12,000 to date. Their fundraising activities have included joining our Walk of Hope, completing 10,000 Steps a Day in February and an epic zipslide across the River Clyde.
Sarah said: “Eamonn was very keen to support research to bring about better outcomes for brain tumour patients. That’s why we are now launching this Fundraising Group under the umbrella of Brain Tumour Research, to keep Eamonn’s vision alive.”
If you have been inspired, please make a donation and include Eamonn’s Vision in the comment or register to put on a Wear A Hat Day event.
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